Game



Nov. 25, 1969 H. JERNSTROM ET AL 3,486,275

GAME

Filed Aug. 10, 196? l N V E N TOE S HA/VS Jam 5720M MAAV/A/ x 64455 av654M a ATTORN 5Y5 United States Patent 3,480,275 GAME Hans Jernstrom,Northbrook, and Marvin I. Glass,

Chicago, Ill., assignors to Marvin Glass & Associates, Chicago, 111., apartnership Filed Aug. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 659,761 Int. Cl. A63f 9/00;A63]: 71 /.00

U.S. Cl. 273-1 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game comprising apair of flexible, adjustable loopforming elements joined together inside-by-side relation by a third flexible element, each of saidloop-forming elements having 'an inside diameter suflicient to enable apair of players to removably position themselves within saidloop-forming element with the latter encircling their waists, and achance means-for. indicating a plurality of positions and/or activitiesfor the players. Each pair of players attempts to be the first to removethemselvesfrom the loop-circling element while acting in accordance withthe random instructions from the chance means.

Background of the invention The present invention relates generally to agame device and is particularly directed to a physical activity gameinvolving a contest between opposing teams of players.

Summary of the invention A game device comprising a pair of flexible,loopforming elements joined together by a third flexible element, eachof said loop-forming elements having an inside diameter suflicient toenable a pair of players to removably position themselves within saidloop-forming element with the latter encircling their waists, and saidthird flexible element being sufliciently long to provide a spaced-apartrelation between the two encircled pairs of players while stillproviding an effective means of restraint on the freedom of movement ofthe encircled players.

Brief description of the drawing The preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 illustrates the use of the game device;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the game device;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the chance device used for instructing theplay of the game;

FIGURE 4 is a plastic hand which may be used in the play of the game;and

FIGURE 5 illustrates a mask or blindfold which may be used in the playof the game.

With reference to the drawings, particularly FIGURE 2, it will be seenthat the frame device comprises a pair of flexible loop elements 12 and14, which are joined together by another flexible element 16. Each ofthe loops 12 and 14 is sufiiciently large to encircle a pair of playersat their waists, and each loop is adjustable in size, as by means of abuckle 18. Thus it is seen that each of the loop elements 12 and- 14 isgenerally in the form of a large belt including the buckle at one endand provided at the other end with a series of openings 20 for receivingthe prong portion 22 of the buckle. Preferably the loop elements, 12 and14, and the flexible element 16 joining the two loops, are made of asuitably resilient material, such as plastic, leather, etc. and arepreferably brightly colored or decorated to provide a game-likeappearance. The flexible element 16 joining the two loops comprises3,480,275 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 "ice an elongated portion having endportions 24, 26 which are formed integrally with or fixedly attachedthereto, and each such end portion encircles and is slidable on one ofthe loop elements.

For instructing or directing the play of the game there is provided asuitable chance means, such as the spinner element 28 seen in FIGURE 3.The spinner element comprises a generally flat board or base 30 which ismarked oif in circular segments, at least some of which bearinstructions to be followed by the players. The board 30 is providedwith a vertically extending post or pivot 32 upon which is mounted aspinner or pointer 34. Extending from the hub of the spinner are threearms 36, 38 and 40, each of different lengths coinciding generally withthe radii of the three concentric circles 42, 44 and 46 on the board.

In the play of the game there is selected two pairs of teams of playersand the game device 10 is then adjusted to fit the players about theirwaists. This is done by placing one of the loop elements 12, 14 aroundthe waists of each pair of players, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, and therespective loop elements are then adjusted as to diameter, so that eachpair or team has approximately the same amount of slack between the loopelement and their waists. In this respect, the plastic hand 48,illustrated in FIGURE 4, might be used as a measure. The hand 48 isinserted between each loop 12, 14 and the waist of one of the players ofeach team, and the loop is then adjusted in diameter to provide only theamount of slack indicated by the width of the hand 48. With each pair ofplayers thus encircled by the two loop elements 12, 14 and the two teamsseparated a distance determined by the intermediate flexible portion 16,the spinner 28 is rotated to indicate the type of simultaneous activityrequired of both teams. In this respect, the outer portion 46 of thespinner might indicate the relative position of the team members, thatis front-to-front or back-to-back etc. The intermediate circle 44 mightindicated further or additional activity or positioning of the teammembers, such as requiring that they hold one hand of their team mate,and the inner circle 42 indicates the direction which they must move theloop element in order to free themselves. The object of the game, ofcourse, is to be the first team to be free from the encircling loopelement after a starting signal is given. In accomplishing their object,it is not only necessary for both members of the team to cooperate andcoordinate their actions in raising or lowering the loop element 12, 14,but each team is additionally hampered by being attached tothe opposingteam through the intermediate flexible element 1. Additional obstaclesmight be provided for the opposing teams, such as requiring each of theplayers to be blindfolded, as by use of a mask 50 as shown in FIGURE 5.

Thus it is seen that there is provided a game device which provides fora novel form of contest, including entertainment and physical activity,between opposing teams of players. Further, the nature of the gameplayed with such device, and the use of the chance means or spinnerprovided with the game device, provides an almost endless variety offorms of activity in the play of the game. Although shown and describedwith respect to particular apparatus and forms of play, it' will beapparent that modifications might be made without departing from theprinciples of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A game device comprising a pair of flexible, loopforming elementsjoined together in side-by-side relation by a third flexible element,each of said loop-forming elements having an inside diameter at leastsufiiciently large to enable a pair of players to removably positionthemselves within said loop-forming element with the latter 3 encirclingtheir waists, said third flexible element being sufliciently long toprovide a spaced-apart relation between the pairs of players encircledby said loop-forming elements while still providing an effective meansof restraint on the freedom of movement of the encircled players, andchance means having instructional indicia directing various activitiesof two pairs of players in positioning themselves within saidloop-forming elements and in freeing themselves from said loop-formingelements.

2. A game device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said loop-formingelements are adjustable in their circumference.

3. A game device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of saidloop-forming elements comprises an elongated part having a buckle at oneend including a prong portion and a series of spaced-apart openingsadjacent the other end to adjustably secure the buckle in position.

4. A game device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chance meanscomprises a board provided with a plurality of concentric, circularportions bearing said instructional indicia, and a spinner pivotallymounted on said board at the center of said circular portions andincluding a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart arms ofdifferent lengths, each arm being of a length corresponding generallywith a radius of one of said circular portions.

5. A game device as set forth in claim 4, including means for measuringthe amount of slack between each loop-forming element and the pair ofplayers encircled thereby, to thereby equalize the amount of restraintprovided by each of said elements irrespective of the differences insizes of the players.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ANTON O. OECHSLE, PrimaryExaminer PAUL E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

